S Gopal Puri
Shimla: Congress MLA Kewal Singh Pathania has raised sharp questions over the increasing political trend of flaunting photographs with senior leaders, claiming that such “photo opportunities” are not delivering any real benefits for Himachal Pradesh, especially in the wake of recent natural disasters.
Pathania made these remarks during discussions in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly over the widespread destruction caused by heavy rains and landslides this monsoon. He said that while both ruling and opposition parties agreed on the urgency of disaster relief, the actual flow of funds and rehabilitation measures remained delayed and inadequate.
The MLA pointed out that Himachal Pradesh had suffered losses worth nearly ₹10,000 crore during the recent monsoon disaster. Referring to previous experiences, he observed that even when financial relief is sanctioned, it often arrives after long delays and in reduced amounts, rendering it ineffective for immediate recovery.
“If last time a package of ₹10,000 crore was announced, only ₹1,500 crore was released after a year. That brings no real benefit,” Pathania said.
In an indirect attack on opposition BJP, he stressed that Himachal Pradesh deserved equal attention and relief as neighboring Uttarakhand, which has also suffered from disasters in recent years.
“The Home Minister considers Uttarakhand his second home, but the people of Himachal are also citizens of this country. If the Minister visits Uttarakhand, he should also visit Himachal’s disaster-hit regions like Mandi, Chamba and Kangra,” he added.
Slamming Himachal BJP leaders, Pathania was critical of the practice where leaders meet Prime Minister or Home Minister, click pictures and release them to the public, but with no tangible outcome for the state.
“People start asking by the third day whether the relief package has come or not. Only photos are not enough. Even if ten percent of the promises behind those photos were fulfilled, roads like the Pathankot-Jogindernagar or Matour-Shimla highways would have been completed by now,” he remarked.
Calling for a special package for Himachal, he underlined that the state’s limited resources could not meet the scale of damage caused by recurring natural disasters.
“Over 70 lakh people in Himachal have suffered due to the calamity. Just as Uttarakhand received a special package, Himachal too must get equal support from the Centre,” Pathania said.
The MLA concluded by urging that disaster relief should not remain trapped in symbolic gestures but must translate into timely and adequate assistance for the people.
